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268 Behind each altar is an apse. At least over the central altar is nearly always a low cupola; often there are other cupolas over

FIG. 7. — CHURCH OF ST. MERCURIUS (ABU SAIFAIN) AT OLD CAIRO. THE IKONOSTASION.

the side altars, or down the nave. Round the apses behind the altars are benches for the clergy. All the church is full of paintings and mosaic. Coptic mosaic is an exceedingly beautiful thing. Unlike the Byzantine kind, it is not made of coloured glass nor of opus sectile. It consists of coloured marbles and mother-of-pearl in geometric patterns. There is nearly always a niche in the apses, sometimes painted with a figure of our Lord, before which a lamp burns. These niches are not used for any purpose; they look curiously like the mihrab in a mosque. High up in the apse are frescoes or paintings of our Lord and the twelve apostles. Along the top of the haikal screen you see our Lady with her Child and other saints; over the central door of the